But with a little
less enthusiasm. I doubt Iraqis have bought into the the Myth of the Purple Finger:
The extent of turnout was unclear. But based on scattered reports around the country, voting in Sunni areas was higher than on the January ballot for an interim government, but appeared to be somewhat lower in Shiite and Kurdish areas.
. . . The mood on the streets of many Iraqi cities, even in Shiite areas, appeared markedly less enthusiastic than they were on Jan. 30, when millions of Iraqis braved an onslaught of violence to cast ballots and celebrate in a vast outpouring of pro-democratic sentiment. On Saturday, streets were noticeably sparse of pedestrians, polling centers were less busy, and voters exhibited little overt enthusiasm.
. . . Iraqi officials said Saturday they were confident that, whatever the setbacks, the constitution would be approved. In the days leading up to the vote, Iraqi and American officials said their principal fear was that a wave of violence in Kurdish and Shiite areas could drive down the "yes" votes enough so that opponents might reach the two-thirds' majority in three provinces that would defeat the constitution.
. . . In Baghdad's Sunni neighborhoods, those who did cast ballots said overwhelmingly that they would vote against the constitution. The Sunni voters who did so expressed little nostalgia for Mr. Hussein's regime, but pointed instead to the chaos - both economic and security - that has engulfed the country. "I have no power, I have had no water for three days, I live in the harshest conditions I have ever known," said Abdul Hamid Ghaffouri, a clothing salesman, and a Sunni, who cast a ballot Saturday. "Can you tell me any reason I should vote yes?"
Yes the Constitution will win the vote. And then what? Will our troops come home now? Will the Iraqi government be able to govern? What is different now than yesterday?